In the summer of 2021, Hayoung Roh auditioned for the Knicks City Dancers on a whim—and made the cut. After a year with that team, she transitioned to the Brooklynettes Dancers, the official dance team for the Brooklyn Nets. She’s now in her second season dancing with Brooklynettes, and her first as co-captain.
Roh’s dancing, whether onstage or on the court, radiates with sincerity and effervescence. She has tried everything from commercial jobs abroad (“Destiny,” MGM Cotai resort’s resident show in Macau), to backup dancing for Kylie Minogue, to dancing with Jessica Chen’s J CHEN PROJECT and Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company in New York City. Her Brooklynettes experience has been fulfilling in new ways: “To be part of the environment that’s been established by our coaches has been such a blessing,” she says. “From the moment I auditioned, I knew I was in good hands.”
At the Helm
“As a co-captain for the Brooklynettes, I try to both give myself grace and hold myself accountable. In this role, it’s important to develop one-on-one relationships with the dancers. I’m even taking a leadership coaching course, in order to consistently show up as my best self and help lead this group of amazing women.”
A Second Act
“Once I’m at an age where my body is no longer able to physically perform, I’d love to dive into dance therapy. My younger brother is on the spectrum and I’ve seen how movement is so innate to him. We’ve gone to BTS concerts together, and music fills his body—his smile in those moments is unreal. I’ve seen how powerful music and dance can be no matter if someone is neurodivergent or neurotypical, and I really want to explore that one day to help different communities.”
New Perspectives
“Pursuing a BFA in dance at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts challenged the ways I approach dance. In addition to many genres of dance, the program offered anatomy classes and music theory—courses that supplemented my dance education and helped me to become a well-rounded artist. It set me up for success.”
